Pittsburgh Steelers OG Mason McCormick was thrust right into a beginning position throughout his rookie yr after an harm to OG James Daniels in Week 4, and for essentially the most half, McCormick held his personal. Entrenched because the beginning proper guard coming into his second season, McCormick thinks a giant season may very well be in retailer for him.
“I simply anticipate myself to make a giant leap. I can form of hit the bottom working. I don’t should assume as a lot, and I can simply go on the market and execute,” McCormick stated by way of Submit-Gazette Sports activities on YouTube.
A fourth-round decide final season, McCormick carried out nicely. He wasn’t flashy, however he did his job and has the potential to be a dependable starter for the Steelers for years to come back. He has some athleticism, together with good measurement and play energy to assist him anchor towards defensive linemen.
McCormick didn’t enter final season anticipating to start out, so it was a little bit of an on-the-fly job of getting on top of things when he did enter the beginning lineup. Having a beginning position locked up heading into his second season, in addition to extra familiarity and luxury with the offense, ought to assist him take the leap that he’s anticipating.
He’s gotten some early buzz this offseason, with Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Present calling McCormick’s ceiling “limitless.” Whereas a whole lot of the deal with Pittsburgh’s offensive line has been on Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, McCormick might quietly make a leap and develop into one in all Pittsburgh’s strongest offensive linemen.
Prior to now two seasons with Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels, the Steelers had no worries on the guard place. McCormick’s efficiency final yr makes that the case once more this season. His stable, under-the-radar play final season has made him much less of a query mark and extra of a certain factor. At a minimal, McCormick has a excessive ground, however his ceiling is fairly excessive as nicely.
With extra consolation this season, McCormick could have the possibility to start out exhibiting simply how good he might wind up being. He sounds assured in having the ability to take a step ahead this season. If he does, the Steelers offensive line has the potential to wind up being a extremely good unit, particularly if each Fautanu and Jones may be regular at sort out.
